Reflection for March 29 Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 18:9-14

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 

The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 

But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

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Reflection: 

Is humility part and parcel of your way of life? 

Aside from Jesus, there are two main characters in this Gospel: the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee is an educated believer who seriously observes and teaches God’s law, while the tax collector is known to be greedy, corrupt, and sinful. They both went to the temple to pray. 

The Pharisee was self-righteous. He claimed that he was not greedy, unjust, or adulterous. He was so sure of his goodness, holiness, and perhaps even his own salvation that he despised the tax collector. 

The tax collector, on the other hand, was a repentant sinner who did not dare to raise his eyes to heaven. Remorsefully beating his breast, he kept asking God for forgiveness. 

Jesus said, "The tax collector went home at peace with God." And the Pharisee? He did not gain any favor from God because he was self-righteous and proud. 

This Gospel is a good reminder for all of us who are self-righteous, proud, or egotistical. It is also for those who look down on their fellowmen simply because they are rich and learned. — Marino J. Dasmarinas